bus

“Metro to make masks optional, effective immediately”

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“Effective immediately, Metro will make masks optional on Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess for its customers. Masks also will be optional for Metro employees. This change comes as a result of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suspending enforcement, while the Biden Administration reviews a federal judge’s ruling.

“Our mask mandate has been based on federal guidance,” said General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds, but masks will be optional on Metro property until further notice.”

Metro encourages its customers to make decisions that are in their best interests. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.”

“Cross Border Bus Service Returns Between DC and Canada” also “will resume service from Washington, DC to Boston, Hampton, and Virginia Beach for the first time since the pandemic began.”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Jennifer

From an email:

“Megabus.com, one of the largest bus companies in North America, is pleased to announce that, due to growing demand, cross border bus service is now scheduled to resume between the US and Canada effective May 11. (more…)

Archeological Finds Vol. 63 – Capital Transit Company Weekly Pass from 1938!

By Prince Of Petworth

If you have a photo of a neat find from your house, place of work or neighborhood please send an email to [email protected] thanks. Please let me know where/what neighborhood you found it in too. Thanks.

Thanks to Katie for sending: “A neighbor in Mt. Rainier sadly passed away from Covid. His relatives have been cleaning out his house a bit and occasionally put some things on the curb. Another neighbor grabbed one of those pieces of furniture and found this neat relic in it!” (more…)

“Metro, like transit agencies and other industries nationwide, is facing a staffing shortage due to the pandemic and is looking to hire nearly 70 bus drivers”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: Last week we learned that “Regular weekday Metrobus service to return February 7”.

From WMATA:

“Beginning today, Metro is offering up to a $2,500 pay incentive as part of a new campaign to hire more bus drivers. Metro, like transit agencies and other industries nationwide, is facing a staffing shortage due to the pandemic and is looking to hire nearly 70 bus drivers needed to meet the current bus service schedule. Additional drivers will also be necessary to fill vacancies month-to-month to account for attrition and retirement. (more…)

“Regular weekday Metrobus service to return February 7” also, “Installation of new, improved faregates nearing milestone; with March 1 deadline set for phase-out of older farecards”

By Prince Of Petworth


If you missed our look back on commemorative smartrip cards, you can see them here.

From WMATA:

“Metro today announced that Metrobus will return to regular weekday service on Monday, February 7. Metrobus has been operating on a modified Saturday schedule, offering approximately 75 percent of normal weekday service, since January 10 due to covid-related staffing shortages.

While Metro is still experiencing above-average absenteeism, case rates are declining and employees are returning to work following their quarantine requirements.”

and

“Faster, better faregates are making it easier for customers to tap, pay and ride Metro with installation now reaching nearly 50 percent of all stations, one-third of which are complete. This is part of Metro’s fare modernization program to improve the rail system’s faregates and fareboxes on Metrobus, along with other fare technology upgrades, including mobile pay on Apple iOS and Android.

In conjunction with the rollout of the new faregates, and bus fareboxes in late 2022, Metro announced last April that older SmarTrip® cards will be phased out. (more…)

“Metro seeks public input on FY23 budget proposal that would improve service and fares”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Master of All Metal

From WMATA:

“The public comment period for Metro’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget is officially open, and Metro’s Board of Directors wants the public’s input. Metro is encouraging the public to share feedback before the comment period ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15.

The FY23 budget focuses on providing safe, reliable and affordable transit service to the region. The budget takes into account the planned launch of Metrorail service to six new Silver Line stations, expanding Metro access to Dulles Airport and beyond, and the opening of Potomac Yard Station on the Yellow and Blue lines.
The budget proposals also include a number of service improvements on Metrobus and Metrorail, fare changes to provide better value to riders, and a $2.3 billion capital budget to continue aggressive construction and rehabilitation projects that are foundational for safe and reliable service.
A summary of key proposals is below, with full information about the proposals and ways to provide feedback available at wmata.com/budget.
Metrorail Service Proposals 

(more…)

Starting Monday “Metrobus will reduce service on weekdays to a Saturday schedule with additional trips on some routes”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by rebecca

From WMATA:

“Metro’s Pandemic Taskforce is taking swift actions to protect the health and safety of its customers and employees against the recent surge in COVID-19 variants. Due to growing absenteeism rates across service areas related to COVID illness and exposures, Metro is reducing service schedules and implementing new workforce actions effective Monday, January 10.

“Scaling back service will ensure customers who rely on Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess for transportation have a more reliable schedule,” said CEO/GM Paul Wiedefeld. “Metro employees live in some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic and are exposed to the surge in the region and throughout the nation. It’s important that the taskforce take steps to make Metro operationally sound to meet the needs of our customers.”

Metro service levels will operate as follows: (more…)

“Metrobus service temporarily suspended due to weather conditions, effective immediately”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Nicky Sundt

From WMATA:

“Metrobus is temporarily suspending service immediately due to rapidly deteriorating weather and hazardous road conditions throughout the region. All buses currently in operation with customers will operate to the end of the line to complete their routes if safe to do so. All other buses will hold at stops until roads are passable and safe to resume service. (more…)

“Charles Allen Re-Introduces Metro For DC Bill to Give Every DC Resident $100 Monthly Balance on SmarTrip Card and Transform Bus Service”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Bradley Joines

From a press release:

“DC Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) is re-introducing his bill that would put a recurring $100 balance to DC resident’s SmarTrip card every month and make a $10 million annual investment in improving bus service and infrastructure in the District.

Metro For DC would create a way for all DC residents to register a SmarTrip card and have it refresh to a $100 balance at the beginning of each month, similar to some employer-paid benefit programs. The balance would never exceed $100, so the District only pays for what a resident uses while riding Metrorail or Metrobus. (more…)

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